Machine for soldering wafer thermostats



May 24, 1932. J. w. MYERS 1,860,048

MACHINE FOR SOLDERING WAFER THERMOSTATS Filed Nov. 4, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l J. W. MYERS 1,860,048

MACHINE FOR SOLDERING WAFE THERMOSTATS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 24, 1932.

Filed Nov. 4, 1929 -70 ENE) /N v5 NTOR i RITE iv Patented May 24, 1932 JOHN MYnRsor QUINGY, rumors I 'meonxnnfron semi-earns wennn rn annosrmsa Application filed November 4, 132a 'se ia1'n .4o4,79 5

This invention relates to I a novel machine for soldering the circumferential edge per tions of What are knownin the trade as Wafers, each of which is formed of two {circular disks of eXpansib1emeta-1 having" lyemployed to regulate the temperature in lncubators. v 7 v Heretofore, so far as my knowledge ex tends, the solderingof the two disks of the trim of a relatively large-amount of time, With the resultant high cost of production.

It is the general object of the present in-' i vention to provide a machine Which will operate in a rapid and r reliable manner to icon-V tinuously solder the, edges of thermostatic Wafers which maybe fed to the machine by unskilled labor, with the result of enormously #increasing, the out-put of these Wafers and at the same time, greatly reducingthe cost;

thereof My improved machine is characte'rized by a number of carriers mounted on endless conveyors, each carrier being adapted to have a Wafer inserted in holders' provide'dthereby at one end of themachine and to have the Wafer automatically discharged therefrom at the opposite end; by the provision of an acid tanl'rand a solder tanktvvith means for guiding the Wafers through the tanks at the proper depth of 'submergence in 1 the acid and solder, respectively; by the provision of. means for maintaining the two Wafers, eon stituting a thermostatic unit, in separated relati'on during the progress of the thermostat through the machine and up to the point of its discharge therefrom; by the provision of automatic means for separating the holders of each carrier as it reaches the remote end ofthe machine; by theprovision of stripping mechanism for insu-ringthe removal of the thermostat from the holldersas the latterare opened; hythe" provision of novelmeans'fforf maintaining a desired dP i 'j0f 'acid in the improved machine;

acid tank; by the provision of-means for ad:

justing the height oft-the acid .and-so1de1ftanks; andhy-thelprovision of an airblast apparatus located at the remote or [rear end of the machine for cooling. the solder than soldering tank. Various novel constructlons, co-mh1nat1ons ,.j

and arrangements ofparts alsolehtkarig'ifidf V the objects of the invention, and'these Will be more clearly understood from the detailed description of theinvention to follow. wafer has been performed by hand, the proc- .ess, requiring a considerable degree "of skill on the part of the mechanic and the eXpendi- In the accompanying. drawings Figure l is a vievvin side evastate Figure 2 is a plan View the-eats portion of one of the carriers being removed to show thec arrier Ghainconstruction; y Figure 3 is. a cross-sectional view onthe hne 33' of Fig.2.; 1

.Wafer and thereby expediting the hardening I thereof as the thermostatemergesfrom Figure ejfs a cross-section on an. enlarged scale through one of the scarriersetaken 011;;

the line 4- 4 of Fig. 1 andviewed inthe di-f; rection of the arrow;i- I 7 i v Figure 5 isa view on an enlarge-decals; shoWi-nga thermostat inv cross-sectionIheldin positionbetween twoiholders of a carrier; A

Figure 6 is a'view in side elevation taken I from Fig. 1 showing the holding and adjuste ing mechanism for the lever which eontrola the height of the acid-andsolder tanks.

Beferring now to the drawings, the nu-.

me'ralsf '1, 2,1 indicate the "end standards. of a basevfor'the machine; which are connectedih y sideframemembers 3; 4. Mounted-on each side of the base at eachend' thereof and pa -d jeetin'g upwardly therefrom are vertieal f frame members 5; 6, 'Which are eonneeted ihy f transverse frameinem'hers Only suiiieient; ofthe frame ofj'the machine is described at thispoint 'toiassist in the image of T I parts. Other frame; members may b'e 1e ferred tol a-ter on as occasion requires Fhr moving the wafers over the machine through the acid solderingtankal ploy'a series of carriers mounted oriendless chain, conveyors and v the description of for'ie of thesefcarri'ersand of the means formoving engages in the groove.

the same will now be given, referring par- 10 is adapted to engage the teeth of :a rack bar 13 which, as shown, is continuous, extending overthe front of the machine around the ends thereof and along the underside of the 15 machine. The rack bar 13 is'provided with a central longitudinal groove containing the rack teeth and providing projections 14 on' either side of the pinion, wherebyto guide the pinion in its travel around the machine while causingit to be rotated' By slidably mounting the pinionslO on the shafts 8, they arepermitted to slide on'said shafts to ac- 'cornmodatethemselves to any slight depar tureson the part of the rack bars 13 from a 25. right "line. This arrangement, however, has

for its principal purpose-to permit longitudinal movement of the shafts 8'through the pinions, aswill be later described. Each ofthe shafts' 8 is provided on its outer end with a circumferential groove 15, and slidably mounted on this outer end is a head 16 provided with a central recess 17 opening from its inner end in which is housed a coil 'spring 18 which bears against the outer end 33 of shaft 8. Securedfinthe wall of the head 16 is a pin 19 which'projects into the recess 17, its inner end engaging in the circumferential groove 15 of the shaft. The'head 16 is provided with a'circumferential flange 20 for 4o .a purpose to be presently described, and the i head as a whole is slidably'and rotatably mounted on the end of the'shaft 8. Mounted on the opposite orinner end of each of the shafts 8 is' a holder 21"which is secured bya as screw or the like 22 tothe'shaft so as to ro- 5;.(Fig. .5 on the thermostatfbeingsoldered.

As shown in Fig. 5, the holders on the two shafts 8 of each carrier are opposed to each other so that the posts26 which are located centrally of the outer side of each of the 60 wafers or thermostatic units, will be received and centered in each carrier and will be ro tated by the shafts 8 through'the medium of the pinions 9 engaging with the rack bar13 as thecarriers are moved over the machine.

Each of the pinions.

permit the shaft 8 to have vertical movement in said bearings. shaft 8 between the bearings 27 is a roller 30.

Rotatably mounted on Extending under the machine from end to end and at each side thereof are two pressure bars 31 (Figs. 1 and 3), the ends of which at the rear end of the machine are curved upwardly". As each carrier passes around the rear end of the machine and is moved toward the front end of the machine, the rollers 30 thereofpa'ssonto the upper edges of the pressure bars 31 which act to hold the pinions 9 in engagement with the teeth on the underside ofthe rack bars 13 which would otherwise fall out of engagement therewith" due to the sag of the carrier chains by means of which the carriers are continuously moved overthe top of the machine from front to, rear thereof, and under the machlne from the rear to, the front thereof as will now be described.

'Extending transversely of the machine at each end thereof is ashaft32 (Figs. 1 and 3) on each of 'which'is mounted at opposite sides of the machine, respectively, sprocket wheels 33, and over corresponding sprocket wheels at each side of the machine passes a sprocket chain 34 (Figs. land 2). This carrier chain is constructed of links 35 and rollers 36 and otally united by means of bolts 39. Each of the shafts 32 is mounted in a box bearing 40 (Fig.1), mounted on vertical frame mem v here 41 and by means of set-screws 42, the bearings may be adjustedboth vertically and horizontally to. secure the proper alinement V V I of the shafts 32. For driving the sprocket T'tate therewith. "Eachof the holders 21 is.

wheels 33 and sprocket chains 34, I provide the following driving mechanism: I

Extending. longitudinally 'of themachine and'mounted in bearings onthe standards 1 and2 is a main drive shaft 43 having on one end a drive pulley 44 by means of which-the pulley and shaft may be rotated in the usual manner by a belt v(not shown). the shaft 43 near the rearfend thereof is a ,sproc'ket 45, (Fig. Mounted onthe base,

ofthe machine above the shaft 43 is a bearing 46 in-rwhich is housed a short shaft hav over the sprockets and 47 so that whenthe.

shaft 43 is rotated, the bevel gear 48 willbe driven. through the medium of sprockets 45 and47 and sprocket chain '49. Mounted to: p I extend transversely of the machine is a shaft 935; Each of the shafts 8 is rotatably mounted 50 having intermediate its ends a bevel gear Secured on 1 in mesh with the beve g -e8, he shaft 50 extends from side to side of the machine and on each end a sprockct52 over wh ch passes a sprocket chain 53.. A second trans- 5 verse shaft 54 has mounted thereon a sprocke.

ch55 over which passes theother end of the sprocket chain 58. Mounted on eachend of shaft 541 isa sprocket 56 over which passes one end of a sprocket chain 5'2, the two 1 sprocket chains 57 passing over correspond-V ing sprockets 58 located, respectively, on opposite ends of shaft 32, By the driving inechanis n described, it will be seen that as. the shaft 43is rotated, the carrier chains '35will be caused to travel, as to their upper run,

from the front tothe rear of the machine, and V then under the machine back to the front end thereof., In its travel over the top ofthe,

, machine, each .of the sprocket chains 34 is 2o, guided by parallel flanges 59 (Fig. 4:) standing upward from abase 60, the opposite ends of each of the bolts 39 of said sprocket chains engaging the inner sides of said flanges, as

clearly shown. V The purpose of the heads 16 and coil springs 18 (Fig. 4) is to enable the proper pressure to be exerted on shafts 8 to force the thickness In order to cause the heads 16 to exert pressure upon the coil springs 18, I 3:5 provide on opposite sides of the machine two, pressure bars 61 which are ad i stabletoward and f m each other y n ordinary bolt and slot connection, asin'dicated at 62, and between andin engagement with which the heads 16 of each carrier are adapt-1 ed to move in the passage of the carriers over the snachine. In order to automatically force the holders 21 into engagement with V the wafers and at the same time move the heads 16 inward so that they will'pass. be-

tween the pressure bars 61, I provide the fol;

-and the latter d scharged-from the .machine.

lowing mechanism:

Mounted on the shaft 43 is a double cam (Eigs, 1 21-11(13). De ending fromthe trans- 50. verse frame member at the front end-of the machine and at opposite sides thereof,

shown at the right "in Fig.1 and in Fig. 3,

brackets 64 havinglaterally projecting ears.

65 on each of which is pivotally mounted at 55 66 an actuating lever 67. The lower end of each actuating lever extendsinward at right angles and is provided with aroller 68, which rollers. are held in engagement with the cam surface 69 of cam Gilby means of coil springs lotal connection 66'thereof, as shown at 72,.

Q For the inaj or portion of their length the ac as mating levers 67, have a vertical extension nd at heir uppercada ers-provided with Pressure pla 7 wh thar p rotally mount, i

ed on the c uatinglevers, as in clicated atle. hese pres re p a e re pivetedto al ow ai to engag th nds if-the he ds 16 flatwise s the upp r nd -o he actua ng le rs 67am I hrown n e dhy he action o-fcam 63.. In theoperation of this part of theme-Lil chine a wafer is placed in position between I the holdersZl' by inserting one or the other], ofthe posts. (Fig. 5) in chuck 2%ino11c of the heads 21 and as the cam 63 rotates and forces the rollers. 68 outward,ythe'iactuating Y V levers (i7 willmove the pressure plates'l3 9,.

into engagement with'two opposite-heads l6 of a carrier and force the shafts 8 inward, 1 thereby causing the holders 21 toyieldij -igly; engage opposite sides of the wafer.v At. the

same time. the carrier is being moved-'foiiward while in engagement withtheI-pre sure plates 73 ,and this relation of the parts continues until the outer sides orfaces of the heads 16 pass between thepress'ure bars 61? and'into' engagement With. theuinner sides 9 thereof. In practice-i whenythe pressure" plates-.1 3 are forced inward, as above de-lz scribed, their inner faces will be broughtsuhri stantially flush with the inner faces of the r v pressure bars 61. As the. rollers 68 move];

into the lower part of the cam, the springs] 7O pull the lower endsof actuating levers 6,7; l inward,therehy movingnthe-pressure plates; 73 outwardto positions to engagethe ends of thenext carrier. r

In the operation of soldering ajwafenthe marginal portion of the latteri's first passed 1 through the acid tank, then raised out ofthe;

acidta-nk and passed through the soldering tank; while passing through the soldering 51 tank solderis prevented from lilling the space between the inner sides of adjacent wafers and thus soldering them togethensand at therear end of the tankmechanism is pro vided; for automaticallyreleasing the holders .1}?

from engagement with thethermostatic unit,

The devices entering intothe performance of 7 these operations now be described in 7 order,

Referring toFigs. 1 and 2, the numeral 7 6 in dicates; an; acid, tank, and the numeral 77 a solder tank, these tanks being shalloWta-nd rectangular in shape and theirinner endsbe-i ing closely adjacent to'each other. l;3.eneath] 2 Q the solder tank is .afburner 78 which is; sup;-...

plied with'gas from a suitableisourc'e through a pipe 79. The center offthe, solder tankis provided with a longitudinally extending raised portion 80 which isprovided on; its upperslde from end to end wlth a groove in which is located a strip} ofImetaLSLconstie' I tuting a divider. Beneaththe tanksYG i 77 is'a'heavy. channel iron. 82 .extendiillgz the fulllength oftheatanks and upon whichthey;

scribed, and these plates project slightly above the sides of the tanks, as shown in rest The support 82 is held in position by means to be later described which also enable the tanks to beraised and lowered;

Each of the bases, or base plates, 60, pre-' 1 viously referred to and shown in Figs. 3 and 4, havebracket members 83 provided on their'inner sides to which are bolted guideplates 81-which embrace opposite sides of' the-tanks 7 6 and '77 so as to guide them when being vertically adjusted, as her einafter de- Fig. 3, so as to form a' support for the holdersv Q21 as they move over the tanks. At the point where the inner ends of the acid and solder tanks substantially abut each other,each of the-guide=plates 84 is provided with a curved raised portion 85 so'that as the holders 21 pass onto this raised portion, they will be i i lifted to raise the thermostatic unit over the abutting ends of theacid and solder tanks, and as the holders pass off of the raised portion, they will lower said unit into the sol- I der tank. Adjustably secured on the inner end of the acid tank, orat the entrance to the solder tank, are two centering members 86 (Figs. 1 and 2) which are separated further' apart at their front'than at their rear ends softhat as the thermostat passes bea tween them, if it is not exactly in line to straddle the divider 81 (Fig. 3) ,it will be cen- I tered by these members so that as the thermostat enters the soldering tank the two wafers thereof will be located on either side of the said divider 81. In other words, the

rear ends of the centering members 86 are at equal distances from opposite sides of the dlvider 81 and are spaced apart distance just sufficient to permit the thermostat to pass betwen them. The numerals 87 indicate two steel barshaving curved ends extending fromthe front end of the acid tank 1 6 around the front end of the machine and continuing in straight portions extending under the machine to the rear, and then having curved portionsextending over the rear end of the machine to the rearend of the solder tank 77 the ends of these bars being connected to opposite endsof the guide-plates 84C.

a-These bars act as a support forholders 21 as r they pass over the machine. These bars,

with the guide bars 84, substantially conform in size and shape to the rack bars 13, previously described. Y For supporting the acid and solder tanks and permitting of their adjustmentto different heights to accommodate different sizes ofthermostats'er:wafers, I provide the following mechanism:

'Pivotally mountedat 88 (Fig.3) on the inner side of the base frame member. 3. is a le'ver89 which extends through slot 90 in the opposite side frame member 4 and beyond the side of the machine where it is provided I with a handle 91 for raising andloweringit.

Pivotally secured to this lever intermediate the ends thereof is a yoke member 92 too'pposite sides of which are .pivotally connected at 93 the lower ends of rods 94c-(Figs. 1

and '3), the upper ends of which have screwthreaded connection with U-shaped clips 95 which are pivotally connected to the inner ends of two bell crank levers 96, each of which extends laterally outward from its rod 94 and then upward in a substantiallyvertical direction, being pivoted at 97 on the upper .end of supports 98 projectingupward from I the base of the machine. The. upper ends of the bell crank levers 96 are bifurcated and each arm of the bifurcation is provided with a roller 99, which rollers engage the undersides of the channel iron 82 within the chan" nel thereof. By grasping handle 91 and raising or lowering the same, the acid and solder tanks which rest on the channel iron 82 may be raised or lowered as desired. The

rods 94 are provided at their lower ends with hooks which form the pivots 93 and engage in 'apertures'in'the opposite sides of yoke member 92. By removing the lower ends of these rods, or either of them, from the yoke member 92 and turning the samein one direction or the other so that the upper thread Depending fromthe'side frame member 4."

(Figs. 3 and 6) isa bracketarm 100 provided near its upper and lower ends, respectively,

with two slots 101. jSlidably enga'gingthe outer" side of this bracket arm is anadjusting plate 102 which is provided on its outer face with screwthreaded openings 103. The

numeral 1 0d indicates an anchoriplate which is provided throughout the greater portion of its length with apertures 105 vTheanchor plate 104- is held in spaced relation to the adjusting plate 102 by means of bolts 106 which pass through slots 101-and through apertures in opposite ends of the anchor plate' The lever 89 passes between the anchor plate 104; and the adjustingplate 102' and is provided toward itsouter end withan aperture through which a bolt 107 having a screwthreaded end may be passed. *When the lever 89'is adjustedto thejdesired position, the bolt 107 is passed through one of the apertures 105 in the anchor plate 104, through the aperture in the lever 89, and its outer end is screwed into one or the otherof of the screwthreaded openings 103. Extendin g outward from the top of the bracket arm 100(Fig. 6) is a support'108 in which is housed an adjusting screw 109 the other end.

of which bears on the top of theadjusting plate 102. After the lever'89 has been secured in its adjusted position, if'a stillfiner connected at its lower end to a valve casing lli-flwithwhich is also'connectedone en'd of adjustment is requii'ed, e. an adjustment of said lever less thanthe distance. between the apertures 105','this may be effected by turning the adjusting screw to'rnove the'adjusting plate 102, the lever 89 and the anchor plate-104, this movement heing permit. ted bythe slidingengagement of bolts 106' in f oi' the posts of the thermostat will'stick in the slots 101 ofIbracket arm 100. j: r a

The acid tank 76 is provided with'acid from two containers 110, located on'opp'osite sides of the machine and adapted to besupported in an up-turned position holders 111 provided with tanks 112, each holder being mountedon the outer endof an. ad-

justing plate 11-3 the inner end of'which is secured on opposite sidesor' the channeliron 82 toa base beam: 114, each ofwhich is pro vided at its outer end with an adjusting screw 115 which is adapted to'bear' against the undersideof the adjusting plate 113.: By]

raisingor lowerin the adjusting screws 115,

the outer ends o "the adjusting plates 113 may be raised or lowered to increase or de- 7 crease thedepth' of acid in the/tank 76. Con-V nectedto and communicating with each of the tanks 112is a: vertical] pipe116- which is ajhorizontalpipe 118. At the centerof the machine the pipes118 connect to a coupling 119 from; which rises avert-ic'al pipe 120 which enters the-acid tan k 76'throughthe bottom thereof (Fig; 3). Each of the pipes 116 is provided on its'uppere'nd' with a push valve 121 which isvadapted tobe engaged by the top of the containerllt) asit-is up-e'nde'd and positioned'in the holder 111 so as to permit acid flowing from the container into the tank 112150 fiow through pipes 116, 118-and 120 into the acid tank and be maintained at a constant level therein in a manner well known. As stated, this level may be changed by manipulating the adjustingscrewsllfi to raise or lower the holders 111 with their 1 containers. Eachof the valve casings;- 11Zfis provided at its lower end with a valve 122 by means of which the acid may be drained from the tanks 112 76 and fromthe pipes connecting'the" same 'when required- For separating the holders 21'to release the thermostats at the conclusion of the soldering operation, I'provide the following mecha-' nism:

Extending across the rear end of the machine over the top'ther'eof is a supporting bar 123 (Figs. 1 and 2) the ends of which are bent downward and inward and secured to the respective rack bars 13-, and secured-to shown by Fig. 2. As each carrier reaches the; end of the machine, the annular flanges 2O 1 the chucks of: the holders, as illustrated in ontheheads previouslyv referred to (Fig;

4.), engage 'theouter sides of; the camvba'rs 124, with the result that. in the continued outward and :downward movement; of the 1 carrier the heads '16 andshafts 8'. are pulled outwardly, thereby separating, the holders 1 2.1; Itsometimes occurs that oneor-theothen the recess '25 of chuck 24 and to Ii'nsurethe reniovalot both posts from-the chucks, of the holders 2l atithe sameitirn'e', i provide a pair ofstrippers'125 which are in theyshape of curved bars Figs. l and 2) secured at their upper ends toconverging arms 126 which,in

turn,-are secured at theirtupper ends in sepa- 3 rated relation centrally of; the,supporting.' bar 123. As each carrier 'passesarou-nd the rearjend of the machine, the thermostat en f be."pulled"againstkone or the other of the I strippers :125, causingfth'e postjofthefther- -mos'tatf to be. separated" from the chuck'of the holder moving it. 1 The curvature, Ofthe strippers 125 con-forms'in a general way to the curvature of the rack-bars-13 and the bars 124 at the rear end ofthe machine, their lower ends terminatingunder' the rear end" of the-machineand beinghnconnected so that the thermostats are free to lfal-lbetween them-as their posts are ,separated trom vThe operation-is as follows; 5 .f The machine being inmotion, with the carrier-chains 34 causingithecarriersto be con- I tinuously movedover the machine, the op]- erator standing atthefront oi the machine, or at the-right ofthe machine as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, places, a thermostat between has fine

the: holders 2101 the carrier, inserting one 7 a -;of the posts thereof inoneor theother of 1 p the chucks 24, andinthe continued movement 1 ofthecarrier the camfi3-willforce the up; per endsof the actuating levers 67 inward v whereby the pressure plates 73wille'ngage the heads 16 and forcethe. shafts 8 with their holders 21 inward, the operator fguidingfthe f other post of the thermostatinto the recess finfth'e other sha k; ate heads 16 pass oil ofthe pressure plates 73, .they ipass b etweenfthe"pressure'bars 61 at opposite sides ofthe inacliine' an'dthecoil springs 18in the heads 16'Jwill be maintained under tension,

ment with opposite "sides "of the thermostat. I As the pinions 9-"a're in engagement withthe revolved, riding. on thQ jHPpGILSldQ or the guide-plates 84 which; hold them sufficiently the front end of thefa'ci-d tank 76, afterw'hich j the 'upper' surface of thesefbars forcing the holders '21into yielding engage a i rack'bars 13, theholdrs 21 arecontinuously 125 l 7' I 'elevatedto permitthe-fwafers-to pass over ;1 p

V with] a depression to permit the holders 21 A Upon reaching the rear end of the acid tank,

are

to lower so that. the marginal portion of thermostat can enter the acid in tank J76.

theiholders passup on thecurvedportions of the guide-plates, thereby again rais the thermostat above the tank and per? mitting'it to pass over into the acid tank into which'it'descends as the holders pass off of the curved portion,85.' Itshould be stated that the racks 13 are correspondingly curved,

as indicated at 13a in Fig. 1, so as to permit 'the'pinions 9 to maintain engagement with the teeth of the rack as the holders are raised and lowered. In passing into the solder tank 7 7, the thermostat passes between the guide members 86, whereby the thermostat is centered and is caused to straddle the dividerSl which maintains the space between the two units of the thermostat free from solder and thus'prevents them from'adhering to each other. The marginal portion of thewafers of the thermostat are supplied with solder in passingthrough the solder tank and at the end"thereof,'they-are raised out of the tank in the mannerpreviouslydescribed, and

as the carrier passes around the rear end of As heretofore descri the machine, the thermostat passes between the strippers 125 ,the flanges 20 on the heads 16 engage the cam arms 124;, and the holders are separated'and thewafer allowed to dropv from the machine. 7

After passing out of the soldertank, the wafers of the thermostat are preferably sub jected to the action of ablast of air from a pipe 127, whereby the solder thereon is cooled and rapidly hardened.

bed, each thermostatic 7 unit subjected to the soldering operation in theparticular construction of machine here shown comprises two wafers It will be ob- 'vious that the same operations as above described could be carried out with thermostats "of a larger sizecontaining threeonmore wafers, it being only necessary to'increase the number of dividers 81employed andadjust parts where necessary to accommodate" the larger, size of the unit. Itis also aptank would be necessary. In the vast majority of cases, however the thermostat is composed of two wafers and the machine illustrated is adapted for soldering such charac'ter of thermostats. 'I wish, therefore, the

claims following to be read with this .understanding in mind as, for the sake of brevity, I have not sought to distinguishin the claims between soldering a single wafer and soldering thetwo connected wafers constituting a thermostat, as the operation would be identically the same infeach case, except, as stated,

departing from thatainsoldering a single, wafer the divid'er 81 would not be required. I

contemplate soldering in substantially the same way as that described herein in connection with-wafers, I may-mention drinking fountains for poultry. As the use'of my invention insoldering other objects than wafers will, however, 1n .some instances, require modificatlons inthe arrangement and size of the parts of the machine, it is deemed f unnecessary to make morethan a brief ref-,

erence to such contemplated applications of the invention as indicating that the generic claims herein submitted are not intended tobe limited in scope to the application of the invention .to soldering. wafers.

In conclusion,-it should besstatedthat order to get theentire machine on a fairly large scale on a single sheet of drawings, as 1 .in Figs. 1 and 2, the machine haslheenconsiderably shortened. However, the'relative arrangement of parts and the operation: of the machine'is exactly the same as though the machine had been shown'in 'fulllength, and said drawings represent the best embodiment of my invention now known to me. I wish it understood, however; that the invention is not limited tothe precise details "of construction shown, except wheresuchlimitations are specifically indicated incertain of the following claims, and varlous changes, in the form, arrangement and construction of parts illustrated could be made without the spirit of my invention.

1 Icla'imf V L 1. A machine for soldering articles having an extendedcircular edge portion, comprising a series of carriers having separable members foryholding the article'bet'ween them, each of which is provided on its outer end with acircular flange, means forlcontinuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, an acid tank and a solder tank located on. the upper side of the machine, means for guiding the arti cles in succession overand through said tanks i. It should also be stated-that the machine j is adapted for, andI contemplate its usein,

soldering other objects than wafers which 1 present a circular extended edge portion. As an illustrationof another, article which I with the extended edge portion of each im- 7 Q mersed'a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, and stationary cam members adapted to be engaged by said flanges for separating the holding members of each carrier after the article has passed out of thesolder tank.

2. A machine for soldering articles having an extended circular edge portion, compris-' ing a series of carriers having separable members for holding the article between them,

means for continuously moving .the'carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, an acid tank and a solder tank,

separable members for holding the thermo means for maintaining a constant depth of,

3. A machine for'soldering articles having an extended circular edge portion, compris- 7 ing a series of carriers having separable members for holding the article between them,

over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, an-acid tank and a solder tank, a container for acid in continuouscommunication with said acid tank, co-operating means for maintaining a constant depths-f acid in said tank, means for adjusting the heightof said container to regulate the level of acid in said acid tank,- means for guiding the articles in succession over and through said tanks with the extended edge portion of eachimmersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, and. automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the article has passed.

out of the solder tank. a i

4. A machine for soldering artlcles hav ng anextended circular edge portion, compris-:

ing a series of carriers having separable members for holding the article'betweenthem, means for continuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotat ing them, anracid tank and a solder tank,

means for simultaneously adjusting the height of said tanks, means for guiding the articles in succession over and through said tanks with the'extended edge portion of each immerseda'predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, and auto maaic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the article has passed out ofthe solder tank.

5, A machine for solderingwafer-thermostats, comprising a ser es of carriers having stats between them, meansfor continuously moving the carriers. overthe machine and simultaneously rotating them, an acid' tank and a solder tank, means for guiding the thermostats in succession over and-through said tanks withthe extended edge portions of the wafers of each thermostat. immerse a predetermined depth'in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, means for preventing the solder from adheringto the adj acent sides of two wafers as, the thermostats are passes through the solder tank, and automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the ther'mostathas passed out: of the soldertank. J r I 6. A machine for soldering wafer-thermo'- stats,'comprising a seriesof carriers (having stat between them, means for continuously moving the carriers 'ov er thetmachine and simultaneously rotating them, 'an acid tank .marginal portions of the waters of thethen' mostats mmersed aipredetermined.depth m I separable members for holdingthe thermo the jaeidand solder thereof, respectively, a -I57 longitudinal strip mounted inthe bottom of the acid tank and-adaptedto be straddled by thewafers of the thermostats as the latter means for continuously moving the carriers are passed through the solder tank to. provent solder from adhering to 'adJacentsideS of theiwaters of the thermostat, andiauto matic means for separating the" holding members of each carrier rafterthegth'e mo-I stat has passed out ofthesoldertankk 7; A machine for soldering"wafer-thermos} stat-s, comprising a series of carriers having said acid and 'solderltanks' insuccessiorrwith the marginal portions of-the waters otthethermostats rldin g on -sa1d, raised-portion and immersed aipredetermined depth. i-nythe" acid andjsolder of said tanks, alongitudinal strip extending centrally of the raised per-- tion of'the solder tankiand adapte'd ftof be straddled by the waters of a the. thermostats as they are 'passed through the tank to prevent solder from adhering to thefadjacent, sides of the wafers, and automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the thermostat has passed out-of the solder tank. 7 h 1 l U 8. machine for soldering wafer-thermostats, comprising a. series of" carriers having separable members for holding the thermo- I stat between them, means for continuously vmoving the carriers over the; machine [and simultaneously rotating them, an acid tank and a solder tank, means for guiding the. thermostats in succession over and through the acid tankandthe solder tankinflthe order named with the marginal portions of the waters of eachthermostat;immersedla predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, a longitudinal strip;

located centrally of, the solder "tank 1' and adapted to be straddled by the wafers of each thermostat as'it ispassed through-the solder tank to prevent solder from adhering I to adjacent sidesiofthe thermostats, melans located at the entrance to the solder tank for centeringthe thermostats as they enterthe' solder tank to cause them vto straddlesaid strip, andfautomatic means .for'separating v the holding members o'f eachcarrier, afterga solder'tank, means for guiding the thermo the thermostat has passed out of the solder tank. V

9. A machine forsoldering wafer-thermostats, Comprising a series of carriers having separable members'for holdingthe thermostats between'them, means for continuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, an acid tank and stats in succession Over andthrough saidtanks with'the marginal portions of the wafers of eachthermostat immersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respec tively, automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the thermostat has passed out of thesolfder tank,

a and means for causing each thermostat to be separated from its holdingmembers as the "latter are separated.

respectively, automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the thermostat has'passed out of the solder tank, and a'pair of stripping members'mounted at the rear end of the machine and between which each thermostat is adapted to pass as it leaves the solder tank to cause the thermosta to be released-from said holding members as the latter are separated.

111A machine for soldering wafer-thermostats, comprising a series of transverse carriers having separable members for holding the thermostats between them, means for continuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, a read slidably andyieldably mounted on the outer end of each of said carriers, a pressure bar located at each side ofthe machine and extending longitudinally thereof, automatic means for forcing the members of each carrier inward tocause the :holding'members thereof to grip a thermostat placed between them and to cause the heads of the carrier to pass between and into engagementwith said pressure bars, an acid tank and a solder tank, means for guiding the thermostats in succession over and through said'tanks with the marginal portions of the wafers of each thermostat immersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, and automatic means for separating the holding V 7 members of each carrier after thethermostat has passed out of the solder tank and the heads of the carrier have passedbeyond the 7 each side thereof, respectively, from end to rear ends of saidpressure bars.

mostats, comprising'a series oftransversecarriers having separable members for holding the thermostats between them, means for con-- tinuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, a

head slidably and yieldably mounted on the outer end of each of sa d carriers and having a circular flange, a pressure bar located on each side of the machine and extending longitudinally thereof, automatic means for forcmg inward the heads of each carrier at a predetermined point in its movement over the machine to cause its holding members to engage a thermostat placed between them and} to cause said heads to pass between and into engagement with said pressure bars, an acid tank and asolder tank, means for guiding the thermostats in succession over and through said 'tanks with' the marginal portions of the 0 wafers of each thermostat immersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, a pair ofv curved diverging cam bars mounted at the rear end of the machine 1 and adapted to be engaged on their "outer sides by the flanges of said heads as the latter pass from between said pressure bars, whereby 1n the continued movement of each carrier to cause the holding members thereof to be separated to release the thermostat.

13. A machine for soldering wafer-thermostats, comprising a series oftransverse carriers having separable members for holding the thermostats between them, a, pair of endlesschains caused to travel in unison is longitudinally of the machine and from end to end thereof and to each of which one mem- .7

her of each carrier is secured, a pair of curved rack bars extending about the machine at each side thereof, respectively,from'end'to end of the machine, a pinion on the movable member of each carrier engaging a correspond ng rack bar to cause the rotation of the carriers in their movement over the machine,

an acid tank anda solder tank located onthe l upper side of themachine, means for guiding the articles in the carr ers on the upper runs of said chains in succession over and through said tanks. with the marginal portions of the less chains caused to travel in unison longi .tudinally of the machine and from end to cnd'thereof and to each of which one member of each carrier is secured, a pair of curved rack bars extending about the machine at east end of the machine, a pinion on the movable member of each carrier engaging a corresponding rack bar to cause the rotation of the carriers in their movement over the machine, an acid tank and a solder tank located on the upper side of the machine, guide bars for supporting the holding members of the carriers and having their upper edges shaped to guide the thermostats in the carrierson the upper runs of said chains in succession over and through said tankswith the marginal portions of the wafers of each thermostat immersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, and automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the thermostat has passed out of the solder tank.

15. A machine for soldering wafer-thermostats, comprising a series of transverse carriers having separable members for holding the thermostats between them, a pair of endless chains caused to travel in unison longitudinally of the machine and from end to end thereof and to each of which one member of each carrier is secured, a pair of con tinuous rack bars extending about the machine at each'side thereof, respectfully, from end to end of the machine, a pinion on the movable member of each carrier engaging a corresponding rack bar to cause the rotation of the carriers in their movement over the machine, an acid tank and a solder tank located on the upper side of the machine, means for guiding the articles in the carriers on the upper runs ofsaid chains in succession over and through said tanks with the marginal portions of the wafers of each thermostat immersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, automatic means for separating the holding members'of each carrier after the thermostat has passed out of the solder tank, and means for supporting the separable members of the carrier in their passage under the machine from the rear to the front end thereof and thereby maintain said pinions in engagement with said racks. v

16. A machine for soldering wafer-thermostats, comprising a series of transverse carriers having separable members for holding the thermostats betweemthem, each of said members being slidably and rotatably mounted, means for continuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, a head slidably and yieldably mounted on the outer end of each of said members, a pressure bar located on each side of the machine and extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of vertically disposed actuating levers pivotally mounted, respectively, at opposite sides of the machine intermediate their ends, the upper end of each of said levers carrying a pressure plate for engaging the heads of said separable members, means for simultaneously separating the lower ends heads of the carrier have passed of said actuating levers to cause said pressure members toengage a. thermostat placed be tweenthem[and'to cause saidfheads topass between and'int'o engagement'with'saidpres sure bars,*a n acid tank and solder tank, means for guiding the thermostats in succession over and throughsaid tanks with the marginal portion of the Wafers of each thermostatimmersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereoirespectively, and automatic -means for separating the holding" members ofeachcarrier after the thermo stat has passed out offthesolder tankiand the rear endsofsaid pressure bars:

17 .f A machine for soldering fwafer thermostats, comprising a series of. transverse. carriers having separable membersfor'h'olding the thermostats betweenthemyeachlo'f said members being slidably and"rotatablyf mounted, means for continuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneousb eyond lyrotat'ing them, a head slidably and yieldablymounted on the 'outerend of each ofsaid members,,a pressure barlocated on each side of the machine andextendinglongitudinallyv thereof, a painofvertically disposed actuating levers pivotally mounted, respectively, at opposite sides of the machine intermediate their ends, the upper end ofeach ofjsaidlevers carrying a pressure plate for v engaging the heads oflsaid separablememberspacon tinuously moving cam adaptedtosimultane ously engage the lower ends of said actuating levers to force inward the heads'ofeachcarrier at a'predetermined' point in'its' movement, over themach ne to cause l'iZSllOlCllIig members to engageathermostat placed be- 7 tween them, and then'torelease said lower ends of the actuating levers, means for main- V taining engagement of the holding members with the thermostat afterthe release of the an acid tank and a solder tank, means for guiding the thermostats in succession over and through said tanks with the marginal portions of the wafers ofeach thermostat im and solder thereof, respectively, and automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the thermostat has 0 I a .1 20 18. A' machine for soldering articles h 7 rotating them, an acid tank and a 'soldertank, means for simultaneously adjusting the height of said tanks comprising a support on which said tanks are mounted, a pair of lower ends of the actuating leversby said cam,

11 'sed a predetermined depth in the acid 1 s riers over the machine and simultaneously r bell crank levers each ofwhich has a vertical extension engaging the underside of said support at one end thereof, a manually operable lever, means connecting the opposite ends of said bell crank levers to said manually operable lever, whereby by manipulating said lever the upper ends of said bell crank levers may be raised or lowered to adjust the height of said support and the tanks carriedthereby, and means for holding said manually operable lever in adjusted positions.

19. A machine for soldering articles having an extended circular edgeportion, commy hand.

' prising a series of carriers having separable nembers for holding the article between them, means for continuously moving the carriers over the machine and simultaneously rotating them, an 'acid tank and a solder tank, a

container for acid in continuous communication with said acid tank, co-operating'means for maintaining a constant depth of acid in said tank, means for adjusting the height of said container to regulate the level of acid in said tank comprising a plate extending transversely of the machine at one side thereofhaving an outer Vertically movable free end portion on which said'container is mountedand being secured at its inner end, and an adjusting screw supporting the free end of said plate, means'for guiding the articles in succession over and through said tanks with the extended edge portion of each immersed a predetermined depth in the acid and solder thereof, respectively, and automatic means for separating the holding members of each carrier after the article has passed'out of the solder tank, 7 V I r In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set JOHN w. MYERS. 

